Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Tuesday that the risk of a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO is increasing and could have catastrophic consequences.
In comments published by the TASS news agency, Ryabkov said European states were increasingly discussing the possibility of an “intense war” with Russia while adopting what he described as hostile anti-Russian rhetoric.
He warned that rising tensions, including what Moscow sees as provocative nuclear-related steps by NATO countries, were increasing strategic risks and the danger of a direct clash between Russia and the alliance.
Western intelligence agencies and senior NATO officials have repeatedly warned since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Moscow could attempt to attack a NATO member state within the coming years.
Russia denies such intentions but portrays the war in Ukraine as part of a broader confrontation with the West. Kremlin officials have also repeatedly warned about the risk of nuclear escalation linked to Western military support for Kyiv.
Ryabkov said Moscow could not ignore NATO’s growing nuclear capabilities and would factor them into Russian military planning. He specifically criticized France’s expanding nuclear deterrence strategy in Europe.
According to Ryabkov, countries that host or support French nuclear capabilities would come under closer scrutiny by Russian military planners responsible for strategic deterrence.
Russian officials have also warned that Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, involving European-made equipment, make those countries direct participants in the conflict. In April, Russia’s Defense Ministry published a list of European defense factories it described as “legitimate targets” for the Russian military.
(reuters, im)